Answer

Yes, Jainism does include mantras, visualizations, and devotional meditative practices. But the core of Jain Dharma is not “tantra” in the usual sense of seeking power or identity through ritual. Jain practice is centered on ahimsa, self-purification, vows, meditation, and liberation.

Explanation

In Jain tradition, you will find:

• Mantra recitation — especially for devotion, concentration, protection from distractions, and spiritual upliftment.
• Visualizations — such as contemplating the qualities of the Panch Parmeshthi, Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, and Sadhu.
• Meditative practices — like dhyana, contemplation of the soul, and reflection on impermanence, karma, and liberation.
• Ritual and devotional forms — including prayers, stotras, yantra-based worship in some traditions, and sacred syllable recitation.

There have also been esoteric or tantric-style Jain practices in certain historical and sectarian contexts, especially in medieval Jain ritual culture. However, these are not the central teaching of Jainism, and they are generally understood very differently from tantra in some other traditions.

Self-Identification with Tirthankaras

Generally, no — Jains do not self-identify as Tirthankaras in the literal sense.

What Jain meditation does encourage is:

• Contemplation of the qualities of the Tirthankaras
• Aspiring to become like them in purity, detachment, and compassion
• Realizing the true nature of the soul

But the soul is not taught to become “the same as” a Tirthankara in an ego-based or mystical identity sense. Rather, the goal is to purify the soul so it can attain liberation, like the Siddhas and Arihants.

Spiritual Understanding

In Jain Dharma, mantra and visualization are supportive tools. They help the mind become steady, pure, and devoted. But they are never a substitute for:

• Right faith
• Right knowledge
• Right conduct
• Non-violence
• Self-control
• Detachment

The highest Jain ideal is not symbolic identity with a Tirthankara, but realization of the soul’s own pure nature.

Takeaway

So, in short: Yes, Jainism has mantra and visualization practices, and some tantric-like traditions exist, but Jainism does not teach literal self-identification with Tirthankaras. The emphasis is always on purification of the soul and the path to liberation.